Elizabeth Crouch1, Elizabeth Radcliff2, Melinda A Merrell2, Peiyin Hung2, Kevin J Bennett3. 1. Rural and Minority Health Research Center, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 220 Stoneridge Drive, Suite 204, Columbia, SC, 29210, USA. crouchel@mailbox.sc.edu. 2. Rural and Minority Health Research Center, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 220 Stoneridge Drive, Suite 204, Columbia, SC, 29210, USA. 3. Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, 3209 Colonial Dr., Columbia, SC, 29203, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Educational attainment has been demonstrated as a protective factor for the physical and mental health of children into adulthood, yet there has been limited research on the association between positive childhood experiences (PCEs) and school success. The purpose of this study is to examine the associations between PCEs and challenges to school success. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used data of 33,450 children from the 2017-2018 National Survey of Children's Health to examine PCEs and two challenges to school success (school absenteeism and repeated grades), using multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The most prevalent types of PCEs were mentor for advice or guidance (89.8%), family resilience (81.1%), and after-school activity participation (79.8%). Children who participated in after-school activities had lower odds of reported school absenteeism (aOR 0.59; 95% CI 0.46-0.76) and repeating a grade (aOR 0.75; 95% CI 0.59-0.97) than their counterparts. Children who shared ideas with their caregiver had lower odds of repeating a grade (aOR 0.78; 95% CI 0.63-0.97) than children who did not share ideas with their caregiver. Children who lived in a supportive neighborhood were less likely to have reported school absenteeism than children who did not live in a supportive neighborhood (aOR 0.77; 95% CI 0.60-0.98). CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE: Participation in after-school activities had optimal associations with both school absenteeism and repeated grade, suggesting its potential protective effect for school success. Promoting PCEs at the school, family, and community levels may help address school absenteeism and grade retention.
OBJECTIVES: Educational attainment has been demonstrated as a protective factor for the physical and mental health of children into adulthood, yet there has been limited research on the association between positive childhood experiences (PCEs) and school success. The purpose of this study is to examine the associations between PCEs and challenges to school success. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used data of 33,450 children from the 2017-2018 National Survey of Children's Health to examine PCEs and two challenges to school success (school absenteeism and repeated grades), using multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The most prevalent types of PCEs were mentor for advice or guidance (89.8%), family resilience (81.1%), and after-school activity participation (79.8%). Children who participated in after-school activities had lower odds of reported school absenteeism (aOR 0.59; 95% CI 0.46-0.76) and repeating a grade (aOR 0.75; 95% CI 0.59-0.97) than their counterparts. Children who shared ideas with their caregiver had lower odds of repeating a grade (aOR 0.78; 95% CI 0.63-0.97) than children who did not share ideas with their caregiver. Children who lived in a supportive neighborhood were less likely to have reported school absenteeism than children who did not live in a supportive neighborhood (aOR 0.77; 95% CI 0.60-0.98). CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE: Participation in after-school activities had optimal associations with both school absenteeism and repeated grade, suggesting its potential protective effect for school success. Promoting PCEs at the school, family, and community levels may help address school absenteeism and grade retention.
Authors: Bonnie D Kerker; Amy Storfer-Isser; Moira Szilagyi; Ruth E K Stein; Andrew S Garner; Karen G O'Connor; Kimberly E Hoagwood; Sarah M Horwitz Journal: Acad Pediatr Date: 2015-10-31 Impact factor: 3.107